Jack used to confide in me that he was terrified one of our parents would come back around one day, wanting money or to be a part of our lives if he got drafted. When I asked him what we would do if that ever happened, he always said, “Nothing. Just like they did for us.”
“Come on. Don’t I deserve lasagna?” Jack turned toward one of the girls still pawing at his bicep. “You think I deserve lasagna, don’t you?”
“I think you deserve whatever you want,” the girl said, and then deliberately ran the tip of her tongue over her lips.
I wanted to ask what the hell was wrong with all these chicks, but stopped myself. There was no point. When it came to my brother, they simply didn’t care what it took to get him, even if they knew it wouldn’t last longer than one night.
When Jack cocked an eyebrow at me, I pointed at his cell phone on the table. “Then you ask Gran.”
“She’ll tell me no. But she won’t say no to you, Dean. You’re her favorite.”
I choked out a laugh and raised my eyebrows, pretending to agree with him. “That’s because I’m nicer than you are.”
It wasn’t true, though. Gran didn’t have a favorite.
Jack frowned, considering. “Will you ask her to make it tomorrow then? For after my game?”
I huffed out a dramatic exhale. “Fine. That I can do. But if she says no, you’re out of luck.”
“Love you, little brother.”
“Yeah, yeah. I love you too.” I smiled as I snagged another slice.
• • •
The next afternoon I entered the student union to find Jack with his harem of girls right at the entrance. He flexed his muscles for a couple of them, who screamed when they grabbed his bicep. “Hold on,” he said as he lifted them into the air before putting them down again.
There were days I couldn’t believe I was related to him. Maybe Melissa was right.
“Show us your pitching motion again, Jack!” one of the girls said with a squeal, and he showed off his moves in slow motion, much to the girls’ pleasure.
I looked up and noticed Cassie and Melissa watching the spectacle with disgusted looks on their faces. Without a second thought, I walked over toward their table and leaned down close to Melissa.
“Hi, Melissa.”
“Oh . . . hi, Dean.”
“Would you mind if I sat with you?” I smiled at Melissa’s soft and sweet response, and kept my eyes locked onto her beautiful baby blues.
“No. We’re much better company than your brother’s table, anyway,” she teased as she poked me in the ribs.
Glancing in Jack’s direction, I shook my head and placed my food on the table before I sat down. “It just gets old sometimes, you know?”
I stretched my hand across the table and reached for Cassie’s since we hadn’t been introduced yet. “Hi, I’m Dean.”
“I’m Cassie. I’m Melissa’s roommate.” She took my hand and squeezed with a small smile. “It’s nice to—”
“Dean! What are you doing over here?”
Jack’s voice echoed throughout the student union, and I suddenly was sorry I’d come over here. Both of these girls seemed to hate Jack, and my presence only drew him over. When I mouthed sorry to Melissa, she just shrugged as if she’d been expecting it.
“Oh, Kitten. I see you’ve met my little brother.” Jack winked at Cassie before placing his hand on my shoulder and squeezing.
“Thank God he seems nothing like you,” she said. “I might actually be able to tolerate him.”
Cassie tilted her head and smiled tightly before taking a bite of her sandwich, and I fought off the urge to laugh. I noticed Melissa and Jack sharing an amused glance, and I didn’t like the idea of them having some sort of inside joke.
“You need me to work some of that aggression out of you?” Jack offered with his typical smile that usually worked on all the ladies. Must be the stupid dimples.
“I’d rather eat dirt,” Cassie mumbled, her mouth filled with food.
This time I did laugh. The girl was funny as hell.
Jack chuckled. “I almost want to see that.”
“You would. Go torture someone else,” she said before looking away.
Not a bit fazed, he grinned and moved to sit in the empty seat next to her. “But I like torturing you.”
“Uh, no!” she shouted before throwing her bag right where he was about to plop down.
Jack stopped short and stood back up. “Why so angry, Kitten?”
“Why so annoying, jackass?” she said, mimicking his tone, and I shot Melissa an amused smile.
Jack bent over to bring his face close to hers. “You’ll come around; you’ll see. You can’t resist me forever.”
Cassie inhaled before she choked a little, and swallowed hard as Jack walked away, smiling.
“Sorry about my brother.” I forced a smile as I defended Jack. I liked Cassie, and could tell he liked her too. “He isn’t really a jerk.”
“He just plays one on TV?” Cassie said before coughing into a napkin.
“Something like that. Don’t take him too seriously. He’s just having fun with you.”
She half smiled. “I’m not having fun.”
“But you are. And he knows it,” I added, knowing damn well that a girl like Cassie enjoyed the verbal jousting match she seemed to have with Jack every time they spoke.